Treating Alexithymia with Affectionate Communication

Scientists have recently identified a new set of methods through which anyone can address alexithymia, a condition characterized by people's inability to correctly identify or describe their feelings.

According to a new study, simple, affectionate communication with these people could go a long way towards reducing the severity of their behavior. While in most the condition is benign, and only kicks in following traumatic events, other individuals have it in a chronic form.

It is estimated that between 8 and 10 percent of the general population is suffering from severe alexithymia, and all of them could benefit from the findings made in the new research.

The work, which was conducted by experts at the University of Missouri, is detailed in the latest issue of the esteemed medical journal Personality and Individual Differences, PsychCentral reports.

The take-away message from all this is that simple interventions can be as effective in addressing this condition as more complex therapies, investigators say. Though it may seem harmless, alexithymia actually has high physical and mental costs.

“We know how important it is for people to empathize and be open with the people around us, because that makes someone more competent as a communicator,” explains UM assistant professor of communication Colin Hesse, PhD.

Patients with high alexithymia have a difficult time forming social groups, and have the general tendency of becoming anxious when they are in groups of people they don't know. They also find it difficult to form intimate relationships.

For this reason, the condition oftentimes accompanies autism and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to various extents. Maybe addressing it could one day make the quality of life of patients suffering from these condition better as well.

“We still need to study the best approaches, but we believe that affectionate communication ranging from hugs, touching, or even the posture taken during communication – can make a positive impact, even if it only relieves anxiety,” explains Hesse.

“Because there is so much gray area with alexithymia, the potential for what we learn could have benefits for people with conditions such as emotional distance and autism spectrum disorders,” the expert concludes.